15 Trader Joe’s Chinese Foods That Are Better Than Takeout

Trader Joe’s lineup is bursting with Chinese-inspired goodies that rival your favorite takeout spots.

These trending items are fan favorites in 2025. Many are affordable dupes for restaurant dishes, offering better value without skimping on taste.

Mandarin Orange Chicken – $5.49

• Crispy chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, easy to bake or air-fry for a quick meal with rice.
• Fan favorite dupe for Panda Express or local takeout orange chicken, costing a fraction while delivering fresher, crispier texture and bolder citrus flavor without delivery fees.

Kung Pao Chicken – $5.99

• Tender chicken with peanuts, veggies, and a spicy-sweet sauce, heats up quickly on the stovetop for authentic heat.
• Superior alternative to restaurant kung pao, cheaper per serving with real spice kick and no sogginess, often praised as tastier than overpriced takeout.

Vegetable Fried Rice – $2.99

• Loaded with carrots, peas, green onions, and soy-seasoned rice, microwave-ready as a side or base for entrees.
• Budget dupe for takeout fried rice, undercuts restaurant prices with fluffier grains and fresher veggies, avoiding the greasy aftertaste.

Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings – $3.49

• Juicy dumplings filled with chicken and savory broth, steam in minutes for a dim sum experience at home.
• Affordable stand-in for restaurant xiao long bao, with thinner wrappers and richer broth at a steal, no wait times or tip required.

Cha Siu Bao (Pork Buns) – $4.79

• Fluffy steamed buns stuffed with sweet barbecue pork, microwave or steam for soft, pillowy texture.
• Dupe for dim sum char siu bao, cheaper than eatery versions with sweeter filling and fresher dough that beats frozen competitors.

Pork Shu Mai – $3.99

• Open-top dumplings with seasoned pork and shrimp, steam for a tender bite with classic flavors.
• Budget alternative to takeout shu mai, offering more filling per piece at lower cost with authentic taste minus the restaurant markup.

Chicken Chow Mein – $4.99

• Noodles with chicken, veggies, and savory sauce, stir-fry ready for a complete meal.
• Reliable dupe for delivery chow mein, half the price with better noodle separation and less oil, often preferred over bland takeout.

Ginger Shrimp Lo Mein – $5.99

• Shrimp and noodles in a ginger-infused sauce with veggies, quick stovetop prep for bold flavors.
• Affordable swap for restaurant lo mein, tastier with prominent ginger and firmer shrimp at a fraction of the cost.

Kung Pao Tempura Cauliflower – $4.99

• Crispy tempura-battered cauliflower in spicy kung pao sauce, a plant-based twist on the classic.
• Healthier dupe for takeout kung pao, lower price with crunchier coating and customizable heat that outshines veggie options at eateries.

Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons – $3.49

• Bite-sized wontons filled with chicken and cilantro, boil or fry for versatile snacking.
• Budget-friendly alternative to restaurant wontons, more flavorful with fresh cilantro notes at less cost per piece.

Scallion Pancakes – $3.49

• Crispy, flaky pancakes with green onions, pan-fry for a savory side or appetizer.
• Dupe for takeout cong you bing, cheaper and crispier with authentic layers that rival handmade versions without the wait.

Hot and Sour Soup – $3.49

• Tangy soup with tofu, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots, heat and serve for comforting warmth.
• Affordable stand-in for restaurant hot and sour, balanced spice and sourness at half the price with no delivery hassle.

Beef and Broccoli – $7.99

• Tender beef strips with broccoli in garlic sauce, quick stir-fry for a classic combo.
• Better-than-takeout dupe, lower cost with juicier beef and crunchier broccoli that avoids the typical sogginess.

Shrimp Toast – $4.99

• Crispy toast topped with shrimp paste, bake or fry for a crunchy appetizer.
• Dupe for dim sum shrimp toast, more budget-friendly with bolder shrimp flavor and less oil than restaurant fried versions.

Chinese Inspired Garlic Shiitake Green Beans – $2.99

• Green beans stir-fried with garlic and shiitake mushrooms, ready-to-heat side dish.
• Affordable alternative to takeout garlic beans, tastier with earthy mushroom depth at a steal compared to side orders.